Hydraulic apparatus for opening and closing doors and the like



E. PETERSON Filed. Dec. 16, 1938 March 24,1942.

HYDRAULIC APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING boons AND THE LIKE Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES T ()FFlCE HYDRAULIC APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS AND THE LIKE Application December 16, 1938, Serial No. 246,167

2 Claims.

My invention relates to the hydraulic devices and more particularly to such apparatus which are especially used and adapted for the opening and closing of doors, such as are used in garages, stores, vaults and the like.

Manifestly, an object of my invention is to provide a novel device having hydraulic principle of operation, which is provided with suitable means for connecting it to the door which may be the overhead or side door and thereby controlling its closing and opening operation, also, having suitable speed controlling means associated therewith for controlling the movement and the speed of the said device, when opening or closing said door and during the operation thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide said hydraulic device with suitable electrical controlling elements which are adapted for controlling and for maintaining the position of said device during its operation and therefore providing safety means while and during its operation and when under a load.

Further object of my invention is to provide said hydraulic device with suitable speed controlling means, which is so arranged, whereby the opening and closing said door may be controlled, at diversified speeds, from the inside of the enclosure closed by said door, or it may be controlled from the outside of said enclosure and from such a distance which may be most adaptable in practice.

Another object of my invention is to provide 1 said device with means controlling at all times the speed and the movements of the device, during the door closing and opening operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide said hydraulic device'very simple in construction, which is easy and readily manufactured, adapted to be used for any type of door or closing fixture or device, which is positive in its operation and definite in its control.

Further object of my invention is to provide said device with a novel valve means and which is so constructed whereby the passing fluid may, at all times, be positively controlled in its flow, including, the direction of flow which controls the movement of said apparatus and thus eliminating entirely the possibility of the apparatus reversing in its movement, leakage or becoming inoperative.

Another object of my invention is to provide said hydraulic device with suitable hydraulic valve controlling means adapted for controlling the movement of said hydraulic device and II therefore controlling its movement while closing and/or opening said doors or the like.

In this respect, my invention comprises a hydraulic cylinder which is provided with a suit- 1 able piston and to which a control rod is attached at one end, while the other end is attached to the door frame, said hydraulic cylinder having a suitable hydraulic valve means which is adapted for controlling the fluid flow therethrough including into and through said cylinder and also, having a suitable valve control means associated therewith for controlling the direction of the fluid flow through said apparatus, so that a constant fluid flow, at diversifled speeds may be established and maintained during its operation.

Also, my invention comprises a suitable piping means, which may be easily adaptable for the uses of fluid pressures, such as may be supplied by any municipality, also, that it may be adapted for pressures supplied by any standard or a suitable accumulator, as in practice may be most desirable and for rendering said device operative.

Another and further objects and advantages of my invention as will hereinafter more fully appear, I attain by the construction herein shown on the drawing and described in the specification, forming a part of my application.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which the similar reference characters denote the similar parts.

In the drawing;

Fig. 1 shows the perspective view of the garage interior, showing my invention in position and connected to the garage door.

Fig. 2 shows the side elevational view of the hydraulic device attached to the door.

Fig. 3 shows the top View of the hydraulic device, taken in the direction of the arrow 3, in

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is the side elevational View of the hydraulic, device. showing the controlling valve 5 member in position.

5 View of the cylinder end, showing the speed 'reducing orifice, taken on the line 6-6, of the Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is the fragmentary side elevational view of the cylinder control valve.

Fig. 8 shows the horizontal cross sectional view of the cylinder control valve, taken on the line 88, of the Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 shows the horizontal cross sectional view of the cylinder valve controlling member, taken on the line 9-9 of the Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 shows the valve control member, taken in the direction of the arrow Iil.

Fig. 11 shows the side elevational view of the synchronizing plate, taken on the line Ii-II, of the Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 shows the cross sectional view of the valve ring.

Fig. 13 shows the cross sectional view of the valve center ring, slightly enlarged.

Fig. 14 shows the transverse cross sectional view of the cylinder valve control member, taken on the line I4I4, of the Fig. 9.

Describing my invention more in detail, said invention comprises a cylinder 2 having a cylinder control valve 4 including the valve regulator 6 which is connected with the independently actuated remote valve controller 8.

Said cylinder 2 comprises a chamber II) wherein a suitable piston member I2 is slidably positioned, the one side of which is provided with suitable piston rod member I4 while the opposite side thereof is provided with a plunger member I6 adapted for slowing down or retarding the movement of said piston I2 when approaching its end of the stroke, see Fig. 6, the operation and its purpose of which will be presently described.

Said piston rod member I4 is provided with a suitable guide member I8 which may be of any desired design, however, for the purpose of simplicity, it may be a pipe or a suitable tubular member, the rod member I4 connecting the extensible member, such as a suitable lazy tongs or the like, see Fig. 3, the end of which is provided with a guide 28 to which an extension rod 22 is hingedly attached and which terminates with a pivotal member 24 having a bracket member 26 pivotally attached thereto and mounted upon the door frame 28 of the door member 30.

Said door member 38 may, if so desired, be of any preferred construction, however, in the present instance I have shown my invention adapted to operate an overhead door type, which is mounted upon a plurality of side hinge members 32 pivoted as at 34 and having a bracket member 36, its overhead movement being supported by means of a suitable resilient member 38, of which, one end thereof is attached to the bracket member as at 48 while the other end is fixed permanently to the wall 42 by means of a bolt 44, and it may be noted, that one or more of said resilient members 38 may be used for supporting the hinged movement of the door, as in practice may be most desirable.

In order to provide a minimum stroke for said piston member I2 within said chamber ID as compared to the total distance said door 38 is required to travel in closing or opening it, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, (shown in dotted lines) said guide rod 22 is provided with suitably lazy tongs member 46 of which, one end is attached and held in place to said rod 22 by means of a suitable pivot pin 48 of the guide 28 while the other end is held in fixed position by means of a pin member 50 disposed at the cylinder housing bracket 52, see Figs. 3, 4, having the end of the piston rod I4 provided with a bolt which is connected thereto, as shown.

It may be noted, that the lazy tongs member 46 is of standard construction and in order to provide a free passage to said pivot pin 48 and 5| a suitable slot Si is provided in said guide member I8, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3.

The chamber ID of said cylinder 2 is provided at one end with a suitable cylinder housing bracket 52 while the opposite end thereof is provided with a cylinder head member 58, each of them being provided with an extension 58 having the fluid passage G8 arranged for receiving the fluid control pipes 62 and 64 respectively, the purpose of which will be presently described.

For the purpose to control the movement of said piston I2, the cylinder control valve 4 is provided with a pressure inlet pipe 86 and the exhaust pipe 68, each operating reversely when in operation, said inlet pipe 66 leading to the feed line 69 which may be at a pressure provided by the municipality, it generally being at 75 lbs, or same may be connected to a suitable accumulator (not shown) which will furnish the pressure desired for the operation of said apparatus.

The cylinder control valve 4, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, is for the purpose to control the fluid passage in and out of said cylinder chamber In while opening and closing said door 38, mainly, for allowing the fluid, under pressure, to enter the chamber at the inlet side 64 which will force the piston backward, causing the door to swing open and at the same time allowing the fluid at the opposite side of said piston I2 to be exhausted from said chamber I8 through the pipe 62 then, to reverse the fluid flow through said pipes 62 and 84,the pressure created therein will force the piston I2 frontward causing said rod member I4 to actuate said lazy tongs 46 including the extension rod 22, thus causing said doors 30 to close.

In construction, said cylinder control valve 4 comprises a housing member 70 which is an integral part of said cylinder housing bracket 52, having cover members 12 and I4 respectively at each side, as shown in Fig. 8.

In the center of said cylinder control valve 4 are passages TB and I8 each leading to the pair of central passages 88 and 82 respectively. In the central passage a suitable valve seat 84 is provided, and oppositely thereto, a removable valve seat 86 is positioned against which the center valve ring 88 actuates when changing the fluid flow therethrough, while the passage 82 is provided with a pair of outwardly positioned valve seats 98 and 92 which are adapted to support and to seal the passage, when either of the outer valve rings 94 and 96 respectively, is disposed thereover.

Said center valve ring 88 is provided with a suitable rim 98, see Fig. 13, having each side thereof provided with a recess I80 wherein suitable gasket members I82 are placed and which are of such material which will provide a seal so that the passing fluids through said passage 88 will not leak, however, the pressure imposed upon the surface of the said valve rings will have the tendency to hold said valves sealed against the seats when the fluid flow is established in whatever direction it may be, therefore for controlling its position, said valve rim 98 is provided with a suitable central stud I04 which extends outwardly therefrom and terminates with a hub I38 adapted for holding the valve cross member I08 in place, see Figs. 8 and 11, and which extends to the valve rings 94 and 96 re- I spectively.

In order to hold said center valve ring 88 in a central position, a suitable guiding pin member H6 is provided therein for preventing possible twisting of said valve ring 88 and the valve rings 94 and 96 out of the center, also, for the purpose of assembly, the removable valve seat 86 is sufficiently large enough for permitting easy access thereto, not only from the machining point of view but also because of its adaptability to be replaced as it need be, further, it may be noted that said valve seat 86 may be screwed in place as shown or it may be held in place in any manner most adaptable in practice,

The valve rings 94 and 96, (shown only one in Fig. 12) comprise a rim H2 which is provided with a recess II4 for receiving therein a suitable gasket II6, which is adapted to bear against either of the valve seats 90 and 92, having at its opposite side an extension II8 extending therefrom to provide a guiding bearing for engaging the socket I 29 disposed within the cover members 12 and 14 respectively.

In order to hold said valve rings 94 and 96 in place, the rim H2 is provided with a threaded hole I22 adapted to receive therein the correspondingly threaded end I24 of the valve shank I26, the center section thereof is provided with a suitable control pin I 28 held in place by means of a suitable yoke I38 and is regulated into position by means of a stud member I 32, of which I one of its ends I34 is set within a socket I 36 of the bearing cap I38 while the other end I 48 extends through the bearing cap I42, as shown in Fig. '7.

The extended end I48 of said stud member I32 is provided with a cross lever I44, see Fig. 10, having a center raise I46 of which its extended arms I48 and I56 are provided with suitable end recess I52 and I54 respectively, against which the end point I56 of the controlling finger member I58 will bear in turning said stud desired direction, causing the yoke member I39 to bear against said pin member I28 in forcing said valve rings 94 and 96 into their position, as the case might be, while allowing the fluid to pass through the passages 16 or 18 into the central passage 88 or the passage 82 during the operation of said device.

In order to operate said cylinder control valve 4 by means of said cross lever I44, the finger member I58 is pivoted upon a pin I66 which is mounted upon the control bar member I62, each having a suitable notch I64 wherein the ends of the centralizing spring member I 66 rest, which is for the purpose to hold said finger member I58 in central position and also for permitting it to assume its original position when out of engagement, therefore, it may be readily seen that when the point I56 engages either arm of said cross lever I44 by engaging the recess I52 or I54, as the case might be, and by pulling the bar member 562, it will actuate and hold said finger member I58 in a position also will turn the stud member I32 in the direction desired and further, the actuating of said bar member I62, while testing, regulating, repairing, or from the inside of the garage, it may be accomplished by the pull hook I66 when pulling in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in Fig. 10, also the same movement may be accomplished and performed of the valve regulator 6, the construction of which will be presently described.

Said bar member I62 is mounted in position within the housing bearing I19, which is an integral part of the bracket I12, the bottom section I32 in the I14 having a plate I15 which is bolted to said housing 18, shown in dotted lines, Figs. '1 and 8, while the upper section I16 is provided with a recess I18 at its one side and adapted for holding in place a tubular guard I89 of the said valve regulator 6. The opposite side of said recess I18 is provided with suitable bearing extension I82 which is adapted for guiding therein the control rod I84 the end of which is provided with a regulating bracket I86 and held in place by means of a suitable pin I 88 having an extension member I98 terminating with a contact pin I92 which is adapted for engaging the socket I94 at the end of said bar member I 62. As shown in Fig. 9, said valve regulator 6 comprises a tubular guard I86 which may be of any desired length as in practice may be most desirable, however, precaution must be taken to provide suflicient space for retaining therein fluid in volume of sufiicient quantity which will commensurate to the volume of the fluid dispensed by the controlling tube I96 of the controller plunger I91 disposed within the cylinder of the remote valve controller 8, see Fig. 5.

In this respect, the extended end I98 is provided with a cap member 289 having a socket 202 adapted for holding firmly the end of a suitable fluid retaining sack 294 and which is supported in place by means of a suitable ferrule member 266.

Said fluid retaining sack 294 is made preferably out of rubber having its end gradually tapered into smaller diameter and adapted for having its end 298 infolded as shown, which is supported in place by a plunger 2I9 against a collar member 2I2 at its mid-section and which inter-connects the control rod I64, then in order to maintain the proper position of the said plunger 2I8 it is supported in its place by means of a suitable extension spring member 2I4 and thus causing the fluid in the piping system 2I 6, to operate independently of the other system of the apparatus see Figs. 5 and 9, and allowing it to create a pressure which may be forced against the controlling plunger 218 within the controlling tube member I95 of the remote valve controller 8 for actuating said plunger 2"].

It may also be noted that since said fluid in said supply pipe 2I6 fluctuates and flows independently in either direction the valve controller 8 may be situated at the outside of the garage door 88, and, that it may be so positioned so as to enable it to operate at any reasonable distance, further, that said remote valve controller 8 may be built if so desired, in a wall of the building, however, when the controlling pole is used, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the controlling mechanism is preferably disposed within a suitable housing or a pipe 229 and a reasonable por tion of it may be inserted in the ground, as at 222.

Said pipe 226 is provided with a cap member 22-9 one side of which is provided with a suitable lock 226, it being of any standard design and so arranged whereby the hand knob 228 will not operate under any condition unless the mechanism is un-locked and released by means of the key lock lug member 269.

In construction, said controlling tube I96 is connected to the lock regulating tube 232 the end of which is held within a socket 234 while its center is provided with a plunger extension member 2286 and which, at the end 238, is provided with suitable threaded stud 249 adapted for engaging the threaded hole of the controlling plunger member 2I8, of which the opposite end 242 is larger in diameter to correspond and befit the inside pipe dimension in order to guide it centrally when in use, and is also for the purpose to guide and to control the position of the hand knob extension 244 which is attached thereto and held in place by means of the cap member bearing hole 245, as shown.

In order to guide said plunger extension 236 in line and for the purpose to hold it in position when in operation, said enlarged end 242 of said plunger extension member 236 is provided with a suitable pin member 248 the end of which is adapted for engaging the lock lug member 23!] allowing it to descend downwardly while following a suitable slot 259 which is out within the wall of said regulating tube 232, then for retarding its downward action a suitable extension spring member 252 is provided therein, as shown, one end of which bears against said end 242 while the other bears against the collar 254 which is set therein to rest upon the internal section end of said controlling tube I95.

It may also be noted, that the end of the controlling tube Iilfi is enclosed with a suitable cap member 255 and adapted to hold therein the rim end 258 of the aid sack 268, which is secured thereto by means of a suitable ferrule, so that the plunger end 262 may move freely therein and by in-folding said sack 250 the fluid therein contained flows and is forced into the pipe 2I6 for out-folding said retaining sack 204 and for actuating the plunger 2H), see Fig. 9, thus operating independently of the entire door operating system.

It may also be noted, that the sack 260, the

piping system 2H5 and the fluid retaining sack 204 constituting the remote control of the valve 4 which controls the reciprocal movement of the piston I2 within the cylinder ID and correlatively controlling the opening and closing operation of said door 38, may, if so desired, be filled with a solution other than water, such as non-freezing solution or some other and suitable chemical, for protection against freezing, contraction and expansion of the fluids therein, so that a normal operation may be had at all times, of the entire system.

In operation, the fluid pressure from the source of supply bears against the piston head 12 irrespective of whatever position the door 30 may be located and the direction of fluid flow under pressure particularly depending upon the position of the free passages within said cylinder control valve 4.

When the door 30 is closed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lock 226 causes the lug 230 to bear against the pin 248, therefore, by turning said lock 228 the pin 248 is released allowing free movement of the plunger 2I8 which at all times controls the fluid position in said supply pipe 2 I 8 and when actuated, it forces the fluid against the plunger end 288. see Fig. 9, and thus causing the extension pin I92 to move the bar member IE2 in backward direction, causing the point end I55 of the finger member I58 to engage the recess I54 for turning the stud I32 out of its original position, which will cause the valve ring 96 to seal the opening by bearing upon the valve seat 92, and, the same movement will cause the valve ring 88 to bear against the seat 84 causing the passage 16 to become closed.

In this manner, the fluid under pressure passing through the pipe 56 from the pipe line 264, will pass into the passage I8 and emerge through the passage 64 leading to the front section of the piston member I2 at the housing bracket 52, which will cause said piston I2 to move backward in its action contracting the lazy tongs 46 and pulling upon the rod 22 which movement causes the door to open and when said piston I2 assumes the position near to the end of the piston and of the stroke, the expelled fluids then become restricted, because of the position of the plunger member I6 within the restricted passage 60 and thereby retarding the fluid flow through the fluid passage 6:: the pipe 62, see Figs. 6 and 8, finally leading through the passage I5 and through the passage 82 into the pipe G8, which connects with the exhaust pipe 265, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in the meantime, the springs 2I4 and 252 bearing upon their respective plungers, reverse the fluid position within the pipe 2I6 causing the hand knob 228 to assume its original position, having it in readiness for action, unless it is closed by the key in said lock 228, leaving the door open.

When it is desired to reverse the action of the apparatus, that is to close the door 38, then said knob 228 is again pressed, which causes the bar member I62 to move rearwardly, allowing the point end I56 of the finger member I58 to engage the recess I52, which reverses the position of said valve rings 88, 94 and 96, as shown in Fig. '7, allowing the fluid under pressure, leading from the pipe line 254 to pass through the pipe 66 causing it to enter the passage then following through the passage 76 and emerging out of the pipe 62, consequently repeating the movement and operation of the apparatus.

In the manner herein described, the door closing and its opening is definitely assured, because of the constant pressure which bears against the piston I2 and thus preventing an accidental or its forceful opening or manipulation.

While I have thus described my invention with great particularity, it will be clear that the same may be modified throughout a wide range.

I accordingly do not propose to be limited to the exact details of construction herein shown on the drawing and described in the specification but reserve the right in practice to make the changes and modifications therein, which may come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a door operating apparatus having a source of pressure fluid supply, a cylinder having an inlet and discharge passages associated therewith for receiving and discharging said fluid supply, a piston reciprocally disposed in said cylinder, a piston rod extending out of said piston having its end terminating with a bolt connection, lazy tong members connected to said cylinder at one end having its mid-section connected to said bolt connection, an inter-mediary rod connected to the extended end of said lazy tong members and having its other end connected to said door for controlling its closing and opening positions, a guide member connected to said cylinder for guiding said bolt connection of said piston rod during its reciprocating movement, a cylinder control valve connected to said cylinder for regulating the inflow and the outflow of said fluid supply into and from said cylinder and for regulating the reciprocal movement of the piston therein, the combination of, an independently actuated remote valve controller connected with said cylinder control valve for controlling its position whereby said fluid supply may be regulated and directed during the opening and closing operation of said door and locking means connected to said independently actuated remote valve controller for locking same in its inoperative position, substantially as described.

2. In a door operating apparatus having a source of pressure fluid supply, a cylinder having an inlet and discharge passages associated therewith for receiving and discharging said fluid supply, a piston reciprocally disposed in said cylinder, a piston rod extending out of said piston having its end terminating with a bolt connection, lazy tong members connected to said cylinder at one end having its mid-section connected to said bolt connection, an intermediary rod connected to the extended end of said lazy tong members and having its other end connected to said door for controlling its closing and opening positions, a guide member connected to said cylinder for guiding said bolt connection of said piston rod during its reciprocating movement, a

cylinder control valve connected to said cylinder 20 for regulating the inflow and the outflow of said fluid supply into and from said cylinder and for regulating the reciprocal movement of said piston therein, the combination of, a valve regulator attached to said door controlling apparatus, a plunger in said valve regulator, a pipe extension extending out of said valve regulator for retaining the fluid therein, a controlling tube connected to the extended end of said pipm extension, a controlling plunger disposed in said controlling tube, a fluid retaining sack member disposed in said valve regulator and said controlling tube for engaging each respective plunger and for retaining said fluid in said pipe extension, a plunger extension connected to said controlling plunger of said controlling tube, hand knob disposed at the end of said plunger extension for actuating said controlling plunger and for forcing said fluid into said pipe extension and for actuating the plunger in said valve regulator, and locking means connected to said controlling plunger for locking same in inoperative position, substantially as described.

ROBERT E. PETERSON. 

